Everything you love about the Scenic Rim Trail is on offer so empty out the esky and get the crew together for a start date of Sunday 2 April
The first Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail of 2023 starts on Sunday 2 April and will see farmers, growers, producers, winemakers, brewers, distillers and flavour-makers across the region open their gates for a day celebrating where food comes from.
From cuddles with lambs at Towri Sheep Cheeses to fresh produce straight from the paddocks of local farms, picnic selfies with alpacas, stocking up on artisan dairy products and learning more about dairy farming at Tommerup’s Dairy Farm to beer and ice cream tasting at Scenic Rim Brewery.
Try flower picking at Elderflower Farm, wandering the vines at the region’s vineyards, and buying mushrooms, olives and finger limes just picked from paddocks you can see, visitors leave with full stomachs and a love for the Scenic Rim region, its produce and its people.
At just over an hour from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast it’s the perfect day trip, or weekend away.
Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail – Sunday April 2, 9am to 3pm
Follow @destinationscenicrim on Facebook and DOWNLOAD THE MAP at destinationscenicrim.com.au
Below is a running commentary of the events and contact points to the exciting farm visits available along the Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail of 2023.
1. SUMMER LAND CAMELS – you feta get to this one
Summer Land Camels is Australia’s largest camel dairy, so don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal with these amazing animals. On April 2 there are farm tours, camel feeding, camel rides, and award-winning fresh camel dairy products (um, Camel Milk, Camel Feta, Camel Milk & Honey Vodka anyone).
Bookings for rides and tours are strongly suggested. *Their Milk Feta just won GOLD at the 2023 Sydney Royal Cheese and Dairy Show. @summerlandcamels 8 Charles Chauvel Dr, Harrisville (07) 5467 1707
2. SCENIC RIM MUSHROOMS – fabulous fungi
An artisan mushroom farm growing premium culinary and medicinal mushrooms in a former bowls club in Harrisville – this is the stuff legend is made of! Learn all about fabulous fungi, how to grow and cook wander local stalls. @scenic_rim_mushrooms 13 Church St, Harrisville 0422 793 749
3. COCO AND MYRTLE – a little luxe stop
Just outside Harrisville, there’s a gorgeous little caravan called Coco and Myrtle that sells luxurious natural soaps and bath bombs. For Farm Gate Trail, there’ll be added local stalls. Dog friendly and say hi to the goat! @cocoandmyrtle 713 Warrill View Peak Crossing Rd, Harrisville 0417 548 873
4. SCENIC RIM FARM SHOP – in the middle of a patchwork of paddocks
Under 120-year-old Jacaranda trees, the Scenic Rim Farm Shop and Café is a celebration of local produce (with loads of Easter goodies too), plus there’s a bumper produce stand run by Di Fyson of Fifth Acre organics, live music from Ross Weber and its right next door to Elderflower Farm.
Book for tables. Dog friendly. @scenicrimfarmshop 541 Kents Lagoon Road, Kalbar. 0429 452 637
5. ELDERFLOWER FARM – posies pretty as an (insta) picture
One of the prettiest Farm Gates on the Trail! Elderflower Farm is a boutique flower farm and shop in the grounds of the Scenic Rim Farm Shop. Stroll around the beautiful flower field, shop in the rustic flower and garden shop, and make your own flower posies. It’s the ultimate insta-stop. @elderflower_farm_qld 541 Kent’s Lagoon Rd, Kent’s Lagoon 4310
6. OLIVE VIEW ESTATE – say it fast and a few times, and you’ll get it
Wander a working olive farm, home to over 700 olive trees, just a stone’s throw from Boonah and Kalbar.
There are olives, olive oil, dehydrated cocktail citrus, farm-made goodies, relishes, honey and seasonings straight from the farm, as well as old-fashioned sodas, and apple crumble with ice cream, all sold from their gorgeous 1950s vintage restored bus “Myrtle”. Grab some carrots along the way to feed the sheep. Dog friendly! @oliveviewestatescenicrim 58 Kulgun Rd, Boonah 0448 168 817
8. VALLEY PRIDE PRODUCE – straight from the soil
This is Local Produce Heartland – Valley Pride Produce is a 5th generation, family-owned, vegetable farm just five minutes from Moogerah Dam near Boonah. It’s a MUST-STOP for veggies straight from the ground. @valleyprideproduce 83 Scholl Road, Charlwood QLD 4309
9. BUNJURGEN ESTATE
This stunning vineyard will have four separate tasting tents – so you can wander from one to another and then to the shop. There are Rose, Shiraz, Ruby and Tawny Ports to sip and take home. @bunjurgenestate 121 Brent Road, Bunjurgen
10. SCENIC RIM BREWERY – seven beers a flowing
Just out of Boonah at Mount Alford, against the backdrop of stunning mountains is the Scenic Rim Brewery, full of local produce, Dutch delicacies and BEER! Sip the Digga, Shazza or the Phar-Que, wander the market stalls, have a homemade scone with jam and cream, a legendary hot dog or pork knuckle, or order a hamper. Diners need to book. @scenicrimbrewery 898 Reckumpilla St, Mount Alford (07) 5463 0412
11. BARNEY CREEK VINEYARD COTTAGES – the cellar door is officially OPEN for 2023
This beautiful family-owned, and operated vineyard and vine-stay only open its Cellar Door for five months a year with the Farm Gate Trail to start its Open Season. To celebrate, they are hosting FREE wine tastings from 9am to 4pm of their Sparkling Shiraz rose, still Shiraz rose, Petit Verdot, Merlot Petit Verdot, GSM, Shiraz and fortified Shiraz.
Their shop features locally sourced produce – relishes, chocolates, olives, and cheese. (Tip, their accommodation is open all year, it’s a magical place to stay). @barneycreekvineyardcottages 198 Seidenspinner Rd, Mount Barney
12. THE SHED CAFÉ RATHDOWNEY
Rathlogan Olive Grove and the Shed Cafe shop are nestled in the foothills of Mount Maroon, only five minutes from Rathdowney and is home to 1200 olive trees. Enjoy a menu starring local produce. A great stop. @theshedrathlogan 4 Upper Logan Road, Rathdowney
13. OAKY CREEK FARM & HARVEST CAFÉ – garlic, turmeric and limes – divine
Oaky Creek Farm & Harvest Cafe is family owned and grows seasonal garlic, turmeric and limes with homemade salts/rubs made on-farm. The cafe is dog friendly and has stunning views of Innisplain, and great coffee on April 2 will have a set menu, playground, live music, real fruit ice cream and a walking farm tour at 10am and 2pm. @oakycreekfarm 208 Oaky Creek Road, Oaky Creek. 0459 818 794
14. THE OVERFLOW ESTATE 1895 – wine time, all day!
On the banks of Lake Wyaralong, this winery is a true escape! Enjoy wonderful locally produced wines and delicious food from the Two French Chefs Menu or grab a picnic blanket and enjoy a wine and Charcuterie board on the lawn, and listen to the live music. Bring the esky.. @overflowestate1895 1660 Beaudesert Boonah Road, Wyaralong. 0455 221 895
15. TOWRI SHEEP CHEESES – see EWE there!
Over 300 beautiful acres of Scenic Rim rolling hills just out of Beaudesert, Towri is home to 350 magnificent sheep and a cheesery to keep you there forever. Wander the beautiful gardens and nibble on cheese platters, meet the world-famous Hercules the racing sheep and all his friends as well as their baby LAMBS ready for visitors – wriggly tails ‘n all.
Flutterby Gourmet Creations and the Farm Shop will keep tummies happy with local produce, Jasmine Urban Farm will talk gardening, and Chris from Black Bee Apiary will talk about harvesting Towri Honey. Australia’s first ever Sheep, Camel, Goat and Jersey milk cheese EWE + 3 will be for sale (quite the coup given it sells out in a lamb’s bleat!). @towri_sheep_cheeses 206 Saville Road Allenview. 0403 463 429
16. BEE ALL NATURAL – buzzy bees be ready
The perfect opportunity to get your hands on a range of fresh raw honey, creamed honey, and beeswax products AND talk to the makers and the beekeepers, not the bees, obv, they are way too busy!). @beeallnaturalau 313 Bushman Dr, Jimboomba 0412 850 065 or 0413 033 172
17. WHITE’S FARM – pumpkins and avocados with love
In the beautiful Kerry Valley outside Beaudesert, on the way to The Lost World, there’s White’s Farm, home to pumpkins and avocados straight from Mother Nature. Retired farmers, this is the place to stop, stay and have a chat. 2028 Kerry Road, Kerry 0427 027 501
18. TOMMERUP DAIRY FARM – 6 generations and now Farmers of the Year
Meet 6th generation dairy farmers, the Tommerup family. Last they won the Australian Farmer of the Year Innovation Award, and on April 2 their Farm Larder will be overflowing with award-winning artisan dairy products, rose veal, milk-fed pork, bacon, free range eggs, and their famous Jersey Girl ice creams. Kay’s hand-rolled butter infused with Red Gum smoked salt and their new Bread and Butter Pickles are truly life-changing.
Visitors can meet and feed the farm animals, take a tour with the farmers, walk down the river, and enjoy a picnic in the paddock, and there’ll be live music, local produce stalls, food, and drinks available. All their Jersey cows have names (as do pretty much all their animals), with the veal calves named after chefs! New additions to be unveiled at the Farm Gate Trail include:
- The Tommerup Market Garden grows corn, Elderberries, native Raspberries, watermelons and more;
- Carol’s Garden, dedicated to the Tommerup Grandmother and home to beautiful cut and dried flowers, as well as Australian natives, and yes, sunflowers.
- Harry’s Farmhouse Kitchen – the brainchild of Kay and Dave’s son, he’s transforming farm ‘waste’ products into delicious value-added produce fresh from the farm. Pickles, chutneys and relishes made from their organically grown produce from the farm market garden, broths and stocks from pork & veal bones, amazing pies and pasties from their ethically raised rose veal and milk fed pork. @tommerupsdairyfarm 2142 Kerry Rd, Kerry (07) 5544 9269
19. O’REILLY CANUNGRA VALLEY VINEYARD – sip beside the creek and breathe
Bring a picnic blanket, have a picnic along the creek and enjoy a $10 tasting paddle (usually $20), and wander the vineyards. Fun Fact – the O’Reillys pioneered ecotourism in Australia when they began hosting visitors in Lamington National Park in 1915. Plus, Mountview Alpaca Farm is located here as well. @canungravalleyvineyards 852 Lamington National Park Rd, Canungra. (07) 5543 4011
20. MOUNTVIEW ALPACAS – alpaca picnic and selfies
Stop everything because this Farm Gate is staging a “Backpacking Alpacas” event. You’ll go out with the alpacas for a short hike down a local country road to a picnic spot – visit a few farm gates first and fill your own eskies for the picnic! You have to book the Alpaca Picnic here. Don’t forget your selfie with an alpaca. @mountviewalpacafarm 852 Lamington National Park Rd, Canungra 0490 973 865
21. CANUNGRA CREEK FINGERLIMES – the caviar of the citrus world
The home of organic finger limes, the native “caviar citrus” that has the food world enraptured, Canungra Creek Finger limes will have varieties freshly picked for the Farm Gate Trail, along with their popular marmalades and preserves, plus skincare products and soap all made using organic fruit grown on the farm. Dog friendly. @canungra_creek_fingerlimes 72 Double Crossing Rd, Canungra. 0418 761 567
22. HAMPTON ESTATE VINEYARD – vines and wines with a view
On beautiful Tamborine Mountain, Hampton Estate Vineyard will be open and celebrating vines and wines. Stop for a sip, to wander and soak up a unique experience. @hamptonestatewines 52 Bartle Road, Tamborine Mountain
23. CAULDRON ESTATE AND DISTILLERY – bring a GIN-ormous esky to this one
Barely two years old and already the awards mantelpiece at Cauldron Estate and Distillery is heaving. ‘The Cauldron’ sprawls over seven glorious green hectares. Drop in for locally made spirits in a prohibition-inspired cocktail bar, while taking in the views of beautiful established vineyards. Tastings and great company are guaranteed. @cauldrondistillery 89-123 Hartley Rd, Tamborine Mountain. 0433 160 265
24. WITCHES FALLS WINERY – sip and stay, or sip and away
This stunning winery at Tamborine Mountain is a must-visit. There are wine flights and our tip. Match back with some local cheese. Book a table or BYO picnic blanket and walk the vineyard. Bookings Essential. @witchesfallswinery 79 Main Western Rd, Tamborine Mountain 07 5545 2609
25. TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY – martinis on the mountain, yes please
Welcome to Australia’s most awarded distillery and liquor brand of the new millennium. Not kidding.
BREAKING NEWS: To celebrate the Farm Gate Trail, they are hosting the dedicated ‘Martinis on the Mountain’ event and the exclusive launch of their Pineapple Rum & Espresso Liqueur.
There are also Distillery Tastings, Cocktail Making and Live Entertainment as well as food vans and local cheeses. It’s a ticketed-only event ($25) that gifts each holder their own Exclusive Cocktail Gift Pack (valued at $45) including these two newly launched liqueurs and spirits, a drink on arrival and cheese tasting. *kids are welcome with free entry.
Get more details and a direct link to tickets for each venue here.
Contact the organisers for more information about the first Scenic Rim Farm Gate Trail of 2023 that starts on Sunday 2 April. See more at @tamborinemountaindistillery 10 Macdonnell Rd, Tamborine Mountain. Telephone .(07) 5545 3452
